Racing returns to Rosehill Gardens for a blockbuster 10 race card, highlighted by the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes.
The Group 2 Shannon Stakes and the Group 2 Golden Pendant provide worthy supporting acts to the main events, whilst the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes and Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality round out a bumper day.
The Rosehill track is currently rated a Good 4 and with nothing but sunshine in the lead up, we'll be met with a pristine racing surface.
Historically, Rosehill has played very fair following a break. However, there can be a slight advantage to those who sit in the first half of the field, particularly over the sprint trips.
The Map
Look for In The Congo (6) to lead with Tiger of Malay (4) kicking up on the inside.
Moridan (3) has shown some gate speed in his previous outings and will be able to hold a forward position alongside Coastwatch (2) on the rail.
I expect Giannis (9) to slot in midfield, with Captivant (1) and Remarque (5) attempting to hold him out.
Anamoe (8) looks to get a dream run behind them, whilst Artorius (11), Hilal (13), Startantes (10) and Jamaea (7) will sort themselves out behind midfield.
Royalzel (12) faces a tough task jumping from out wide. The colt's only hope is to jump prominently and slot into midfield, but he risks being caught wide for the trip.
The Favourite
Anamoe ($2.00) is the early favourite and will be very hard to beat.
His return in the Run to the Rose was brilliant, where he gave weight to many of the rivals he faces in this clash. His sectionals were fantastic and that was matched in his ratings.
Stepping up to 1400m for this assignment is a mouth-watering proposition, considering his massive jump last preparation when second-up.
I have mapped him in a dream position, off the rails around 7th or 8th.
Look for James McDonald to give the colt plenty of room off the bend before unleashing him in the straight.
Analysis and Tips
Anamoe ($2.00) is the main bet for the major, but there are two other horses I'll be specking too.
In The Congo ($10.00) looks to get a soft lead and if the track does play leaderish, he will be the one they have to chase down.
He is fighting fit and his run against Anamoe last start says to me that if the favourite gets into any trouble, this bloke can pinch the win. He is a terrific each way bet.
Jamaea ($15.00) is another who isn't respected by the market. Her win in the Furious Stakes last start was no fluke, where she got out to a monster price.
Her map doesn't give her any favours but if Brock Ryan gives her plenty of space at the top of the straight, she'll be flashing home.
She is another who is a good each-way bet, but I the place option looks more tempting.
The Map
This race lacks solid speed as well, with the likely leader coming from either Notions (2) or Subterranean (4), while Akahata (9) can stroll forward from the gate.
With the blinkers on first time, look for French Emporor (3) to sit just off the speed whilst Profondo (5) will be looking to get a kinder run than what he received on the Kensington track last start.
The remaining runners will be looking to sort themselves out , with Arnaqueur (13) and Alegron (10) the only realistic chances from back there.
The Favourite
Profondo ($4.80) is the wide open favourite after just a single run under his belt.
His win at Randwick Kensingto to kick off his campaign wasn't certainly wasn't flashy. However the figures from the race told a good story and on speed ratings alone, he looks the one they have to beat here.
The issue is, how will he go second-up?
Will he suffer from the dreaded second-up syndrome, or will he continue to improve?
We only have the massive price tag and one run to form our opinion and like some of his rivals, he's stepping up from 1400m to 1800m and into much tougher company.
I know there are some out there that love this horse, but I won't be swinging his way just yet.
Analysis and Tips
French Emperor ($13.00) goes on top for me.
He was impressive when finishing third behind Profondo first-up at Kensington. He was hampered throughout in that run, but really hit the line nicely despite being wayward in the straight which caused the stewards to give the stable a warning about his racing manners.
This was an issue again at Goulburn, where he was too impressive when winning by just over 2 lengths over the mile.
He did a lot wrong in the run and again copped a warning, but David Payne suggested putting some gear on him.
I strongly believe this was Payne's target all along for this guy, and we know that he can train a nice Derby horse.
Blinkers go on for the first time, as does the lugging bit and a near side bubble cheeker to top him off.
I expect significant improvement and he'll handle the 1800m with ease with a soft run in transit.
Arnaqueur ($8.00) has raced against much better quality than he faces here.
The issue is the map and where he ends up, but he will be flashing late and is worth a bet.
I think he'll drift by race time.